Carnival Corporation Executive Joins Global Coalition to Advance Food Waste Reduction
Vicky Rey, Vice President of Government Affairs for Latin America at Carnival Corporation & plc, has been appointed to Champions 12.3, a global coalition of leaders dedicated to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, which aims to halve food waste and reduce food loss by 2030.
A respected leader in the cruise industry with more than four decades at Carnival, Rey is recognized for building partnerships across sectors and driving collaborative initiatives that create meaningful impact.
Scalable Solutions for Lasting Change
Rey’s appointment to Champions 12.3 reflects her leadership in developing scalable solutions that support communities while advancing Carnival’s commitment to reducing food waste.
Among her key initiatives is the expansion of the company’s meal donation program to additional destinations throughout Latin America, ensuring that surplus meals reach families and organizations in need. The program, which provides high-quality meals through a growing network of food banks, forms part of Carnival’s broader “Less Left Over” strategy.
As part of its comprehensive efforts to minimize food waste, Carnival reported a 44% reduction in food waste per person in 2024 compared with 2019 levels, surpassing the company’s interim 2025 target one year ahead of schedule.
A Meaningful Recognition
“This appointment is deeply meaningful to me,” Rey said. “It represents the collective efforts of many partners, including governments, port teams, nonprofit organizations, and dedicated colleagues who believe in the power of collaboration to develop innovative solutions that address food loss and waste—not only for our business, but for communities around the world. I am proud to represent our region and our industry as part of this important global coalition.”
Liz Goodwin, Senior Fellow and Director of Food Loss and Waste at the World Resources Institute, which serves as the Secretariat of Champions 12.3, welcomed Rey to the coalition and praised her commitment to responsible resource management.
“We need global leaders like Vicky who champion practical solutions and innovative ideas to ensure that food is used to nourish people—never landfills,” Goodwin said.
Continuing Industry Leadership
Rey follows another Carnival Corporation executive in joining the coalition. Jan Swartz previously became the first representative from the cruise industry to serve as a Champion 12.3 member before retiring from the company in April.
Her appointment further highlights the cruise industry’s growing role in advancing sustainability initiatives and supporting global efforts to reduce food waste while creating positive social impact in destinations around the world.